About Wildcat (Felis silvestris) Danube Delta
The Wildcat (Felis silvestris) is widely spread across Central and Southern Europe. In the Danube's Delta it shelters in thick and quiet forests, in hollows or fox burrows.
The size of its body varies. On average, it can measure 45 to 60 cm, with a weight of 4 to 10 Kg. On exceptional cases, males can measure up to 100 cm.
The Wildcat feeds on various vertebrates, from mice to young deers, young stags and various birds.
The fur of a Wildcat has long hairs. Its tail has a uniform width and it is 30 to 40 cm long, with 6 or 7 transversal stripes and a dark coloured tip. A male Wildcat has a greyish black fur, whereas a female has a yellowish fur. On their necks, they have a yellowish white spot and on their forehead four unparalleled black stripes. The middle stripes extend to their backside. Its legs are covered with a yellowish fur on their interior side. Their exterior side is stripped with black transversal stripes. On the external tip of its posterior fingers it has a black spot.
The Wildcat is a solitary animal, but during the mating season it can be seen in groups. The male Wildcat marks its territory with a secretion produced by the perianal gland. The reproduction period lasts from February to March. After 70 days of gestation the female Wildcat gives birth to 2 to 4 cubs. During their first 2 weeks of life, the cubs are blind. After a month, the cubs will begin to follow their mother when she hunts. When they are 3 months old they will be capable to hunt by themselves.